Passenger Princess: A Grumpy Sunshine Bodyguard Pageant Queen Romance (Evergreen Park Book 1)

‘Is this okay?’ Ava asks, nerves in her words. She turns in the mirror, left and right and forward like she’s looking for any imperfection at all she can fix before we leave, but as always, she looks fucking stunning.

Her dress is a pale blue with long sleeves and a higher neckline than normal, fitted until it stops mid-thigh. It’s probably one of the most conservative outfits I’ve seen her wear on this entire trip, but that’s because my girl is panicking.

Tonight is our last off night before tomorrow’s final event for the Miss Americana organization, and now that we’re officially in California, we’re having dinner with Hank and his wife.

I put an arm around her waist, tugging her into my body and pressing my lips to hers. She picked out my outfit, one similar to the gala we went to: a black suit and a black dress shirt. Bodyguard chic, she told me, giggling when I rolled my eyes, but I can’t deny we look damn good together.

‘Don’t mess up my lipstick, Jaime Wilde!’ she shouts, putting her hands to my chest and attempting to push, though it gets her nowhere. ‘Ugh, you’re so annoyingly strong.’

‘You look perfect, Ava,’ I say to her, low and reassuring, ignoring her arguing. Her body goes slack in my arms, her eyes going hopeful despite the lingering nerves.

‘Really?’

‘You always look perfect to me, Princess.’ That makes her big blue eyes roll, and I smile. Her hand lifts, the nail of her finger pressing into where I never really noticed I had a dimple, but Ava loves to point it out.

‘You’re so annoying,’ she says with a sigh.

‘They’re going to love you.’

White teeth come out to bite her bottom lip while her hand plays with the collar of my shirt. ‘But what if they don’t?’

‘They will.’

‘But what if⁠—’

‘Then they aren’t the good people I thought they were. But I’m telling you, Ava, they’re good people.’

She lets out a long breath. ‘I’m nervous,’ she finally admits.

‘No need to be,’ I say, leaning down and pressing my lips to her gently. ‘You’re perfect, Ava. they’re going to love you.’

‘This feels…’ She looks around like she’s nervous to say whatever she’s about to say. ‘This feels real.’

‘Good. It is.’

Another roll of her eyes, and my lips tip up in a smile once more as she shakes her head.

‘You know what I mean. It feels…it feels like we’re a normal couple, even if it’s just for a night. Like we’re going on a date to meet the people who are essentially your parents.’

I’d told Ava how my parents didn’t approve of my choice not to go to college, instead choosing to start working for Five Star out of high school. As soon as I was out of the house, they packed everything up and moved to Florida. If you were to ask me, I would say they never really wanted kids to begin with, the typical boomers who had a child because it was the “next step.” When I didn’t hit all of their big ideals for what a son would be, they stopped putting in the effort, and I’m not one to push a relationship either, so it mostly just fizzled out.

Over the years, Hank had not only become a mentor to me, but he and his wife became parental figures in a way. If something interesting happened in my life, it would be them I called first. While I see my family once or twice a year, it’s nothing near the closeness or comfort I have with Hank and Janine. I even spend holidays with them if I’m not on an assignment, but my lifestyle means that, until now, having no real roots to hold me down was a good thing.

‘We are,’ I say. Shifting, I move to sit on the couch, forcing her to straddle me as I do before putting my hands on either side of her face. ‘Ava. I cannot wait for this tour to be over so I can take you out and show you off everywhere we go. So I can make every man in a ten-mile radius jealous that you’re mine. This, us? This is real. We’re real. No matter how tonight goes—and Ava, I know it’s going to go well—we are real, and we will stay the same. Do you understand?’

She stares at me in that way only Ava ever does, reading my face for untruths only she can find before she nods with a smile. ‘Okay, Jaime. I trust you.’

And even though I fucking love it every time she trusts me with something, this time feels the most important.

‘Ava,’ Janine, Hank’s wife, says, holding her arm out to Ava as if they’re long-lost friends and pulling her in for a hug. “I’ve heard so many great things about you!’

We barely pulled into the driveway when Janine came running our way, completely ignoring me and making a beeline for Ava. When she pulls back, Ava’s cheeks are red, and her smile is nervous.

‘Oh, my goodness, you’re more gorgeous in person. Isn’t she gorgeous, Hank?’ Janine asks, turning to her husband, who puts a hand out to me, pulling me into a hug and clapping me on the back.

‘Not going to comment on the beauty of Jaime’s girl while he’s right here, honey.‘

‘Oh, stop it,’ Janine says, looking at her husband and hooking her arm through Ava’s and leading us inside.

‘Did you warn her how Janine is?’ Hank asks, resting his hand on my shoulder as we follow behind them.

‘I probably should have,’ I say under my breath.

‘We’re in for a long night,’ Hank says with a laugh as we follow the women into the kitchen, Janine chatting away at a hundred miles a minute. I’d never realized it, but Janine is a lot like Ava, so I should have known the two would instantly hit it off.

‘Well, you know Hank and I met because he was my bodyguard, right?’ Janine tells Ava after she sets a plate in front of her an hour later.

Ava’s mouth drops open, and she turns to me, slapping me on the arm.

‘No, I did not know that. In fact, he spent almost the entire time we were on tour together telling me just how unprofessional it would be if we were together.’

‘Oh, don’t worry. Hank did the same thing,’ she says with a laugh. ‘But once these men make up their minds, it’s set.’

Ava’s lips tip up with humor, her eyes dancing as she turns to me. ‘This I have learned.’

A glass of wine later and some girl talk—Janine’s words, not mine—were all it took to get Ava out of her shell, which led to Ava explaining how she spent the first six weeks of her tour trying to “get him to crack.”

Janine giggles. ‘Oh, I absolutely need details,’ she says, leaning forward.

‘No, I think we’re good on details,’ I say with a shake of my head, ready to cover Ava’s mouth.

‘Agreed, I don’t need any kind of details, and I don’t need Janine sharing any details.’

Both women laugh, but not for the first time, and Hank and I look at one another and sigh deeply.

‘So, what are you up to next?’ Janine asks, voice sweet. ‘You’ve got how many days until you’re done?’

‘Three,’ Ava says, nerves in the word as she picks up a fork, pushing some pasta aside. ‘And I’m not sure. Before all of this.’ She waves her hand around her. ‘I was a bartender. I started this all as a way to help out some friends.’

‘Oh, trust me, I know,’ says Janine. ‘I told you, I looked into you.’

Ava laughs. ‘Yeah, well, I didn’t think it was going to be much of anything, and it shook my whole world up. But I’ve always been a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, so we’ll see what happens.’

‘I’m sure Jaime just loves that,’ Hank says with a snort, and I give him a look to tell him exactly how I feel about Ava’s go-with-the-flow way of life.

‘You know, I saw what you did with those Girl Scouts, teaching them some self-defense moves, then what you did this morning with the pageant girls.’

This morning, Ava and I went to the studio Miss California’s friend owned alongside about ten pageant contestants and taught them some basic moves of self-defense. Ava had a blast the whole time, teasing me in front of the women and giggling with the girls, but at the end of it all, I think everyone learned some really vital skills in a comfortable environment. The biggest bonus for me was how happy Ava was about it afterward. She seemed more energized and excited than she has been this entire tour.

‘That’s definitely been a highlight of this tour,’ Ava says. I knew nothing about self-defense until Jaime decided I needed to learn. It’s empowering to feel more confident that I can protect myself, worst-case scenario.’

‘Have you thought of doing more of that?’ Janine asks, taking a sip of her wine. Ava’s brow crinkles.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Teaching basic self-defense, making it trendy. Heck, if there’s anyone who could make it fun, it would definitely be you.’

Suddenly, Ava’s face brightens a bit, and a small smile comes to her lips. ‘You know, I haven’t. But I love the idea of that. I actually had a company reach out to me last week for a sponsorship for a mace keychain.’

‘Absolutely not,’ I say at the same time Hank laughs out loud.

‘What?’

‘Absolutely not,’ I repeat. ‘You’re not carrying a fucking trial-sized mace around with you on the day-to-day.’

Ava turns to me looking annoyed. ‘Why not?’

‘Because you’re a disaster waiting to happen, Ava. With your luck, you’ll pepper spray yourself by accident, just trying to show someone how it works.’

She purses her lips like she wants to argue but can’t before she smiles. ‘You’re probably right. What about a taser? They make some really cute pink ones.’

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, counting to ten as I do, as if that’s going to help with the tiny menace of a woman in front of me.

It doesn’t.

Which I’m happy about because I fucking love her, chaos and all.

‘Why don’t we start smaller, yeah?’

Her lips tip up. ‘Yeah, that probably makes sense.’ Then she turns back to Janine. ‘But I’ve also had a bunch of people message me every day since Utah, asking if I would think about offering classes near them or in Evergreen Park. I don’t think I’d want to have a full-time studio or anything, but today showed me I could do pop-ups or something.’ She tips her head like she’s suddenly building a business plan in there, her lips curving with a smile. ‘I could probably get them sponsored by different businesses, too. Or maybe even have online videos.’ She turns to me then. ‘You’d help me, right?’

I sigh, and Hank laughs.

‘Why don’t we make it past the end of this tour before you start making a new business plan?’ She glares at me, and I can’t resist moving a hand to push her hair back over her shoulder, a small smile on my lips. “But yeah, Princess. Whatever you want.’

‘Thanks, Janine, that was a great idea,’ Ava says.

‘If you do start it, make sure you let me know or have Jaime let us know. I know that we have so many people we know who would be interested, old clients of Hank’s who would love to learn more about self-defense. You could even have them co-host pop-ups! Some celebrities to add some pizazz. You could travel all over⁠—’

‘Janine,’ Hank says in warning.

‘What?’

‘You’re gonna give Jaime a fuckin’ coronary. Just look at him.’

I force myself to unclench my jaw when Ava laughs.

‘Yeah, I think Jaime is ready to relax for about ten years after we get back from his tour. I’ve really been testing his patience.’

‘Oh, I’m sure he loves it,’ Janine says with a wave of her hand.

I reach over, putting an arm around Ava’s shoulders, then leaning over to press a kiss to her hair. ‘I’m more than happy to have her test my patience for as long as she wants,’ I say, and I mean it. Ava blushes, Janine awws, but Hank just stares at me thoughtfully before giving me a small, almost imperceptible nod.

After dinner, Ava and Janine make their way to Janine’s craft room so she can show Ava some project she’s working on when Hank finally sits back on the couch we’re sitting on, crossing his arms on his chest.

‘Never thought I’d see the day.’

‘Shut it, Hank.’

‘Just saying, it’s good to see you interested in something other than work. It’s been a long time coming.’

‘I suppose,’

‘So what are your plans after all of this? Assuming your plan of disappearing into the Poconos for a life of peace and quiet is off the table,’ he says.

‘Yeah, I don’t see Ava being too into living off the grid.’ I say with a smile, not able to picture her being too far from civilization and shopping and other people for her to socialize with. Though, I bet I could probably convince her to hole up with me for a few weeks at a time. A compromise. We’d have to bring Peach, of course. Peach, who has been trotting around Janine and Hank’s house like she owns the place.

‘You gonna stay with Five Star?’

‘I…I don’t know. For one, I’m not sure if they’ll want me there after they find out about me and Ava⁠—’

‘So, you two are going public?’

‘After the tour is done. I’m going crazy as it is, everyone not knowing she’s taken,’ I confess.

He nods his approval. ‘Good, good. You know I put in provisions for if you get let go or leave early. You and any employee there longer than ten years before the company was sold are covered. There’s a different account for your retirement no one can touch.’

‘Yeah, Miles told me. Wish you’d have informed me of that, I probably wouldn’t have waited so fucking long to make things official with Ava.’

‘Bullshit.’ Hank laughs, and I stare at him before he leans forward. ‘You have always been a cautious kid from the moment I met you. Weighing pros and cons past the point of it even making sense. The only way you would have given in earlier is if she pushed your hand.’

‘She tried to push me,’ I groan, remembering the weeks of Ava teasing and taunting me.

A unique kind of painful pleasure.

‘Oh, I believe it. Her and Janine? Two peas in a fucking pod, could see it a mile away. They’re the same woman. So, you know, good luck with that.’

I groan, knowing the number of headaches his wife has given him over the years. But I also know the joy greatly outweighs the headaches.

‘You’d be good at running your own firm,’ he says a few beats later.

‘What?’

‘You can’t be in the field forever, but you have the contacts and stellar recommendations. You know how men should act, and they respect you. You’d do well starting your own firm. It would mean you could probably stay at your girl’s side more, too.’

My mind reels, trying to understand his words. Of course, it had been a passing thought before, occasionally thinking it could be an interesting endeavor, but I also thought I was going to be happy retiring young. Now…I’m not so sure.

Now, I think I wouldn’t mind exploring the world with Ava, especially if Janine is putting wild ideas in her mind, ideas that, despite my initial hesitance, make a lot of sense for her.

‘Just…think about it. You’ve got enough saved up, and you could probably not work for the rest of your life even without that retirement account.’

He’s not wrong—the life I’ve lived hasn’t meant I had much time to throw my money at things, so I’ve saved most of my paychecks. Hell, I don’t even pay rent or mortgage since I’m on the road most of the time, and when I’m not, I’m at the cabin in the Poconos.

‘But I know you. You’ll get stir-crazy after some time. When you do, you come to talk to me. Let me help you weigh those pros and cons.’

From my spot on the couch, I see Janine and Ava walk out of the bathroom, Ava’s head tipping back with a laugh.

‘Thanks, Hank,’ I say, my eyes on my girl.

He chuckles, and then his chair scrapes as he stands. ‘Yeah, you’ll do just fine, that one on your arm.’

As she gets closer, her eyes locked on me, her smile gets wider and warmer, and I can’t do anything but agree with him.

We say our goodbyes and walk out of the front door when it happens: a single reporter with a bright camera flash nearly blinds us at the base of Hank’s driveway.

‘Ava, so you are having a relationship with your bodyguard?’ a voice shouts, a photo being snapped as the words come.

A paparazzi.

At Hank’s house.

Seemingly outing Ava and me.

‘You’re on private property,’ Hank’s voice booms behind me. ‘Get the fuck out.’

The man continues to shout Ava’s name, the camera flash never stops, and all I can think about is getting Ava to safety.

‘Get in the house, Ava,’ I snap, not even looking over my shoulder at her. As soon as the first flash came, I pushed her behind me, barely a foot between us and the door we had just stepped out of.

‘Jaime, I⁠—’

‘In the house,‘ I bark.

‘Come on, sweetie,’ Janine says gently before the door closes behind me, but my eyes are locked on Preston Smith, the fuckwad reporter from the American Star.

‘You’re on private property,’ Hank says. ‘Give me your camera.’

‘Hell no. Do you know how much these photos are worth? The bodyguard and America’s sweetheart having some torrid affair all along? Proof that Ava Bordeaux is nothing like what she’s been trying to sell?’

I shake my head at this idiot. ‘What does it matter to you?’ I ask, stepping down off the step and crossing my arms on my chest. He’s smaller than me, both in bulk and height, but I won’t touch him. I know better, know that it would only hurt Ava more and benefit this jackass.

‘She’s a fraud, and the world should know.’

I stare at him, taking him in and decoding him. ‘Who sent you?’ I ask, taking a step closer.

Suddenly, a flash of something—panic or fear—crosses his face before it’s covered again with his smug look. ‘No one, I work for the American Star.’

‘Hmm, that much might be true, but there’s some other connection,’ I say, stepping forward again. Now there’s maybe five feet between us, his camera still raised, but doubt is in his eyes. ‘Is it Regina? Is she paying you?’

‘No. Why would she pay me? I’m just here to make money on an article.’

‘You know, I’ve done a little research on you, since every fucking article you write about Ava is trashing her for no reason. You were also at the event where she was assaulted and in Utah, where you made some interesting accusations.’

‘They weren’t accusations, though—you’re on a date at your old boss’s house together.’Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

‘And how did you know we were here? You sure as fuck didn’t follow me because I would have noticed.’ Even when it’s not a threat, I always keep an eye out for tails, and there were none.

His lips tip up. ‘A little birdie told me.’

‘You do not want to mess with me, Smith. That much I can promise you.’

‘You’re nobody. You can’t do anything, and once this’—he lifts his camera—’is out, you won’t even have a job. Five Star, right? I’m sure there’s something in their guidelines about fucking your assignment.’

I fight to keep my face completely blank before I take another step closer.

‘You think you won some game, and honestly, I think you’re not even the one playing it, just some poor puppet on someone else’s string. But you don’t want to fuck with me, that much I can promise you. Because I can know everything about you if I need to. I can know where you went to school, who signs your checks, and the address of your mommy’s house you probably live in. I can know everyone you’ve received cash from, and if any of it seems a little…off, I can know if anyone has ever paid you to write a friendly article or completely trash someone, and I can take all of that and send it to your boss because I have a feeling that’s against some kind of journalist code.’ I tip my head at him. ‘And then I can have that information sent to every news outlet in America.’

‘Are you threatening me?‘

I shake my head. ‘I’m just telling you what can happen if you don’t leave Ava alone and if you don’t tell me who told you where she was tonight.’

The asshole smiles, stepping back. ‘See you later, Jaime,’ he says, opening the door to his car, sliding in, and starting the engine.

I stand, arms crossed on my chest watching the journalist as he drives away in a car his salary definitely shouldn’t afford before turning and going back into the house and straight to Ava, who is standing with Janine in the foyer.

‘Did you post where we were tonight?’ I ask.

‘What?’

I step into her space, putting one hand on her chin gently and forcing her to look at me.

‘Social media. Did you post anywhere about where we would be? Or have you posted anything at all since we got here?’ I take a moment before I add, ‘I won’t be mad, I just need to know.’

‘No,’ she whispers. ‘No. I left my phone in the hotel and totally forgot about it. I remember thinking it was funny because it’s usually attached to my hip, but…’ She wets her lips, and I step away, moving toward the door to go back outside. ‘Jaime, what’s going on? You’re freaking me out.’

With that and the waver in her words, I turn back around and get in her space again, this time tugging her into me. ‘Everything is okay.’ My hand goes to her cheek, cradling it and forcing her to look at me. ‘Everything is going to be just fine, I promise. You and me? We’re good, Ava,’ I whisper against her lips before kissing them softly in reassurance. When she nods, her eyes looking slightly less concerned, I step back and head to the door once more.

As I step out, I hear Janine squeal, ‘God, I love this for him!’ before Ava giggles as the door slams behind me, a small consolation to hear that noise.

‘Tracker,’ Hank says through a tight jaw, standing near the SUV, a small black rectangle in his hand.

‘What?‘

‘A tracker was on the car. Looks custom, looks expensive. Is the car a rental?’ I sigh, looking at my feet and cursing low with a shake of my head. ‘Let me guess: it’s yours.’

I look up and nod. It’s my SUV, and I know damn well that before we left Jersey, there was absolutely not a tracker on it.

So when was it added?

‘Call Miles. Give him everything you can off this tracker, then that fuckwad’s info. I got the license plate number. You said he’s a journalist?’

I nod, already scrolling to find Miles’s number. ‘A tabloid rag, but a journalist all the same. He’s been at a few of the events, and every article he writes, he bashes Ava.’

‘You think there’s something more there.’

‘I know it,’ I say, as I hit Miles’s number and bring it to my ear.

It’s going to be a long fucking night.